No. 1-seed Hoosiers fall on buzzer beater

INDIANAPOLIS — Despite a balanced scoring effort, and a spark off the bench from freshman forward OG Anunoby, No. 10 Indiana fell victim to too many miscues against Michigan on Friday in the team’s opening game of the Big Ten Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Tied at 69-all with 16 seconds remaining in the game, No. 8 seeded Michigan, who was able to take possession after a late Indiana turnover, found forward Kameron Chatman open in the right corner.

After bobbling the catch, Chatman, who played just eight minutes the entire game, drilled the 3-point dagger at the buzzer to help the Wolverines advance, 72-69.

No. 1 seeded Indiana had four players score 13 points or more but 15 turnovers proved too costly, especially down the stretch. Troy Williams led the Hoosiers in scoring with 16 points while Anunoby finished with 13.

“If there’s a key to beating Michigan, it’s not coming off the corners,” Indiana coach Tom Crean said after the game. “They are an excellent team. They don’t put guys out there that can’t shoot it.”

Added Williams: “We don’t practice coming off of shooters like that.”

Anunoby also added two rebounds, three blocks and two steals while finishing a perfect 6 of 6 from the field. However, as a team, the Hoosiers shot just 4-for-17 (23 percent) from deep and 24 of 53 overall (45 percent).

Anunoby provided an essential lift in the first half, helping Indiana take a 37-36 lead at the break after scoring six points and blocking two shots.

He also drew a charge with five seconds left in the half on Michigan’s Zak Irvin, who hit the game winner a day before against Northwestern, to keep Indiana ahead.

The Hoosiers turned the ball over nine times in the opening half but out rebounded the Wolverines 18-11. They also out rebounded Michigan 37-25 for the game.

Michigan was led by Irvin’s 17 points. M.A. Abdur-Rahkman finished with 15 points. With his assist to Chatman for the last second 3-pointer, Michigan guard Derrick Walton Jr. broke the single-game assists record for the Big Ten Tournament.

He finished with 12 assists.

Indiana, which is off until the NCAA Tournament, has never won a Big Ten Tournament title in its 19 years of existence.